Apparatus for die rolling



Nov. 6, 1951 A. c. RUDEN 2,574,121

APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING Original Filed July 11, 1940 12 Sheefzs-Sheec 1 ARTHUR C. RUDEN.INVENTOR,DECEASED.

ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 6, 1951 A. c. RUDEN APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 11, 1940 ART HUR C. RUDENJ NVENTORJJECEASED.

1951 A. c. RUDEN APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING l2 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed July 11, 1940 ARTHUR c. RUDEN ,8NVENTOR,DECEASED. ADM INISTRATRIX.

5 0A MEIAINNEY Ma /94%. ATTORNEYS Nav. 6, 1951 A. c. RUDEN APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed July 11, 1940 m 1 1 Em w fi 1:

1H 1? H h 0Q .lwm hm a: hm M: m U Q R r\ A m 1 \Q. A m 1 1 Q 2 a Q F m .HL l 7 IBM 2 w w I: \N RX 1 a \N 0 QML N\\ E n m m m .330 mm W 3 A m. m m A, WWW RN m HM my? 1951 A. c. RUDEN APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING m ei 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 ARTHUR C.RUDEN,IN.VENTOR, s lg? M Kl NNEY,AuM|msTR/\T x :KSEDT %4,%& 9442.

Original Filed July 11, 1940 ATTORNEYS- NOV. 6, 195] A, c RUBEN APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING l2 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed July 11, 1940 NW. 1951 A. c. RUDEN 2,574,121

APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING Original Filed July 11, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 h '0 m m g N 5) Q N g Q a g d 0) a N h N b o n '3 w Q Q 4 fi I D E :a 2*, 1 I q I ARTHUR C. RUDEN mamoapzceaseo. IDA M K INN EY,ADMINISTRATRIX.

ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 6, 1951 A. c. RUDEN APPARATUS FOR DIE [ROLLING 12 Sheets-sheaf, 8

Original Filed July 11, 1940 Nov. 6, 1951 RUBEN 2,574,121

APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING Original Filed July 11, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Fig.1? I

ARTHUR C. RUDENJNVENTORDECEASED. IDA M' -KI N N EY,ADMIN ISIRATRI x.

ATTORNEYS.

A. c. RUDEN 2,574,121

APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING Nov. 6, 1951 Original Filed July 11, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 m3 I04 .99 I27 Fig. 19

ARTH U R C- RU DEN,INVENTOR,DECEASE6. 1 9A M K|NNEY,ADM|N|sTRA-rR|x.

@, @M 64% Mia.

ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 6, 1951 C RUBEN 2,574,121

APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING Original Filed July 11, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet ll Fig.22 F5 ATTORNEYS DE N,INVF.NTOR,DECEASED- Nov. 6, 1951 A. C. RUDEN APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING Original Filed July 11, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 Fii Fig.55

ARTHU R C. RU DENJNVENTORQDECEASEQ IQA M K I NNEY ADM INISTRATRIX.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 6, 1951 2,574,121 APPARATUS FOR DIE ROLLING Arthur C. Ruden, deceased, late of Euclid, Ohio,

by Ida McKinn ey, administratrix, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignor to The Mid-West Forge Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application July 11, 1940, Serial No.

345,587, now Patent No. 2,363,553, dated November 28, 1944. Divided and this application November 6, 1944, Serial No. 562,183

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates, as indicated, to an apparatus for die rolling, but has reference more particularly to the die rolling of blanks by means of successive sets of die rolls.

In prior Patent No. 2,187,753, there is disclosed apparatus for die rolling blanks, comprising spaced sets of rolls arranged so that the blank must pass completely out of one set of rolls before entering the next set of rolls, and means for positively feeding the blank into each set of rolls in exact registration with the die portions of said set of rolls.

The present invention is directed to apparatus of the foregoing character, "in which is incorporated certain improvements and refinements, which make for increased speed in operation of the apparatus, and improved accuracy in feeding of the blank into the various sets of rolls andamong which may be enumerated the following:

1. Means are provided for positivel feeding the blank into each set of rolls and insuring that the front end of the blank will enter the rolls in a predetermined registering relation with the die portions of such rolls.

2. Means are provided for temporarily delaying the movement of the blank in the event that the front end of the blank, as it is about to enter the rolls, is not in a predetermined registering relation with the die portions of such rolls, and for preventing further movement of the blank until such relationship is established.-

3. Fluid-actuated means are provided for positively feeding the blank into each set of rolls, and for controlling the movements of the blank feeding mechanism.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a rolling mill embodyin the novel features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the mill, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow R in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the '-mill, as

.viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow F in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the rolling mill, as viewed from the right of Figs. 1 and 2, and from the left of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 8-6 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of one of the die rolls, wtigh a portion broken away to show the blank 5 Pi Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the die roll shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view, illustrating more or less diagrammatically the various controls for the blank ieeding mechanisms;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the master valve for the blank feeding mechanism, taken on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the master valve, taken on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the feed control for the master valve;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view, of a valve which is used in oneof the 011 connections for the blank feeding plunger;

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a check valve used in connection with one of the solenoid-operated valves;

Fig. 17 is a view, partly in section, of one of the solenoid-actuated valves;

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line |a-|a of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a view, partly in section, of the other solenoid-actuated valve;

Fig. 20 is a side elevation of a blank used for forming a pair of connected steering knuckles;

Fig. 21 is an end view of the blank shown in 0 Fi 20;

Fig. 22 is a view showing the blank of Fig. 20, after being rolled in the first set of rolls;

Figs. 23 and 24 are cross-sectional views, taken on the lines 23-23 and 24-24, respectively, of 5 Fig. 22;

Fig. 25 is a view showing the partially shaped blank of Fig. 22, after being rolled in the second set of rolls;

Figs. 26 and 27 are cross-sectional views, taken on the lines 26-26 and 21-21, respectively, of Fig. 25;

Fig. 28 is a view showing the article of Fig. 25, after be g rolled in the third set of rolls;

Figs. g9 and 30 are cross-sectional views taken on the lines 20-20 and 33-", respectively, of

Fig. 31 is a view showing the article of Fig. 28, after being rolled in the fourth set of rolls;

Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3232 of Fig. 31;

Fig. 33 is a view showing the article of Fig. 31, after being rolled in the fifth set of rolls;

Figs. 34 and 35 are cross-sectional views, taken on the lines 34-84 and 35-35, respectively, of Fig. 33;

Fig. 36 is a view showing the article of. Fig. 38,"

after being rolled in the sixth set of rolls;

Figs. 37 and 38 are cross-sectional views taken on the lines 31-31 and 32-", respectively, of Fig. 36, and

Fig. 39 is a view similar to Fig. 7, bu showing a modified form of the blank pushing mechanism.

Referring moreparticularly to the drawings, the mill consists, as shown, of alternately arranged horizontal and vertical millstands, re-

. spectively, and generally designated by the reference characters H and V. The spaces between these stands gradually 'increase in accordance with the progressive lengthening of the blank which is being forged, the number of stands required and the exact spacing therebetween being determined by the nature of the article which'is to be produced. An essential req irement in this connection is that the sets of rolls be spaced a greater distance apart than the length of the blank.

The vertical stands comprise transversel spaced housings l and 2 and the horizontal stands comprising superimposed housings 3 and I, the housings I and 2 being maintained in spaced relation by means of spacers 5.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 5, each of the vertical stands further includes vertically-spaced shafts 6, each having secured to one end a die roll I, the rolls being maintained in position by means of nuts I. and the shafts being Journalled in chocks 9 and ill. These chocks are movable vertically along suitable guides of the housings i and 2.

Each of the shafts 6 has secured to its opposite end a pinion H. The upper chocks 9 and it are vertically adjusted by means of adjusting screws l2 and I3, respectively, in threaded engagement with the bridge portions of housings I and 2. The screws i2 and [3 have secured to their upper ends adjusting wheels I! and adjusting wheel levers l5, whereby the upper shaft 6 may be vertically adjusted. Similar vertical ad- Justment for the lower shaft 6 is provided, in the form of adjusting screws which are rotatable by means of spur gears i6 and I! driven by a shaft l8. Ax a a j'str ent o the rolls 6 is effected by means of roll adjusting nuts it.

Each of the horizontal stands further includes" transversely spaced shafts 20, each having secured to its upper end a die roll 2|. The construction of these stands, and the manner in which the shafts 20 are adjusted are similar to those described in applicant's aforesaid patent, and further description thereof is accordingly believed unnecessary.

The mill stands are mounted on rails 22 and may be adjusted along these rails to vary the spacing between the sets of die rolls. The rails 22 are, in turn, mounted on rail supports 23, and these, in turn, are supported on the main frame or base 24 of the roll forging machine. The base 24 supports substantially all of the operating mechanism to be hereinafter described.

The die rolls I and 2| may have any suitable designs, patterns, grooves, protuberances or the like formed in their peripheries, depending upon the nature of the work which is being rolled, the action of the first set of die rolls being such as to cause the blank whicd is being rolled therebetween to approach somewhat the form ultimately desired. Each succeeding set of die rolls will then cause the blank to approach more closely the ultimate shape desired and attained by the last set.

Moreover, alternate sets of rolls are preferably arranged in a plane at right angles to the plane of the other sets of rolls, although the right angle arrangement is not an absolute requisite of the invention, each set of rolls being, if desired, arranged in a plane angularly related to the plane of the preceding set of rolls, such angular relation being other than a right angle. This arrangement of the sets of die rolls enables the following advantages to be secured in the die rolling of articles from blanks; (1) The metal of the blank is displaced in two planes, enabling articles to be manufactured having protuberances extending from the article in two planes. This is especially desirable for the making of articles such as steering knuckles, steering knuckle support arms, connecting rods, steering knuckle arms and pitman arms. (2) Heavier draws can be taken, since an extremely heavy draw taken in one set of rolls, and which might result in undue strain on the blanks, can be rectified by the draw in a different direction on the same portion of the blank in the succeeding set of rolls. (3) The formation of flash is precluded, that is to say, if the draw in one set of rolls is so heavy as to result in an incipient flash at the drawn pnrtion of the blank, the next set of rolls, operating as it does on such incipient flash, destroys it. (4) The use of expensive blank indexing or rotating equipment between sets of rolls is rendered unnecessary.

By way of example, a die roll is shown in Figs.

9 and 10, such die roll having a V-shaped groove in its periphery for the reception of a blank of square cross-section. as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 8, such groove having a protuberance P extending from the walls of the groove and for a portion of the length of the groove, such protuberance being designed to form a corresponding recess in the blank.

The rolls of all the mill stands are driven at a uniform speed by means of driving mechanism comprising a motor driven main drive shaft 25, journalled in bearing brackets 28, and extending substantially the entire length of the mill, mitre gears 21, mill shafts 2t and bevel gears 29, the latter meshing with the pinions on the shafts I and 20.

Since the present mill is so designed that the blank must be completely out of one set of rolls before being acted upon by the next set of rolls.

' it is imperative that means be provided for positively and automatically transferring the blank from each set of rolls to the next in such manner that the blank will enter the next set of rolls in exact registration with the impressions or protuberances in said next set of rolls, that is to say, in such a manner that the entering end of the blank has a fixed registering relation to a predetermined point in the peripheral impression or on the peripheral protuberance of the rolls ab u o be e ered.

Such means. together with certain control mechanism associated therewith, constitute important features of the invention, and will now be described in detail, reference being had more particularly to Figs. 3 to 19 inclusive, of the drawings.

Disposed between such set of die rolls is a stationary V-shaped troughor guide 30, which, as shown in Fig. 6, is so disposed that a blank B disposed thereinhas its axis in alignment with the pass formedby each set of rolls.

When the blank B, in passing through the rolls 2| reaches the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6, that is to say a position in which its rear end is just beyond a line connecting the centers of the rolls 2|, it is engaged at the rear by a pusher finger 3|. Finger 3| is pivotally connected, as at 32. to a pusher head 33, which is secured, as by a nut 34, to one end of a piston rod or plunger 35, having a piston 36 which operates in a cylinder 31.

The cylinder 31 is stationarily mounted on a suitable base or support, and has secured to its ends heads 38 and 39. havin pasageways therethrough communicating with the cylinder and with conduits 40 and 4| respectively.

The finger 3| has a limited degree of pivotal movement in the direction of movement of the blank B, but its reverse movement is limited to a position substantially at right angles to the axis of the rod 35, such latter position being determined by a stop 42 on the head 33. After the finger 3| has completed its forward movement, it is returned to its initial position, but in its rearward movement must clear the oncoming blank. It is for the purpose of thus clearing the oncoming blank that the finger 3| must be free to pivot forwardly. Upon return of the finger to its rearmost position, it falls by gravity to the vertical position.

The pusher fingers which push the blanks through the horizontal sets of rolls are disposed in a horizontal plane, and gravity cannot therefore be relied upon to return such fingers to a position at right angles to piston rod. It is necessary in such case to provide means for positively returning the fingers to such position. Such means is shown in Fig. 7, and comprises a compression coil spring 43 disposed within a socket 54 in the end of the rod 35', and which bears against a rack 85, the teeth of which are in mesh with a gear sector 46 formed integrally with the finger 3|.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, it will be seen that the die roll has secured to one of its radial faces a disk 41, which is substantially coextensive in area with said face. and which is a 'ustable to a limited extent circumferentially with respect to the die roll, so as to adjust the position of a cam 48, mounted on the disk adjacent its periphery, relatively to the protuberance P on the roll. This adjustment is effected by means of a screw 49, which is carried by a bracket 56 on the disk 41 and which bears against a pin 5| extending from the die roll through an arcuate slot 52 in the disk concentric with the axis of the disk. By turning the screw 49, the disk may be moved circumferentially with respect to the die'roll.

One of the die rolls in each set of rolls, has secured thereto at a predetermined point in its periphery, as by means of a screw 53, an angular bracket 54, to which is secured, as by means of a nut 55, a stop 56, which is adapted to be engaged by the forward end of the blank, so as to insure that the blank will be acted upon by the protuberance P of the die roll at a proper and predetermined point in the length of the blank. In other words, by causing the blank to engage the die'roll at a predetermined point in its periphery, as determined by engagement oi the blank with the stop 56, entry of the blank into the rolls in proper registrationwith the die portions of the rolls is insured.

It will be noted that the stop 56 is located at an angle X from the center of the protuberance or die portion P of the die rolls (Fig. 9). As the blank becomes elongated as a result of the rolling operations, this angle X becomes greater with each successive set of rolls.

It is desirable that the blank be pushed into each set of rolls by the pusher finger at a linear speed which is slightly greater than the peripheral speed of the rolls about to be entered by the blank, so as to insure engagement of the front end of the blank with the stop 56 before the blank passes through the rolls. This movement, as previously stated, is effected by means of the piston rod 35, which is hydraulically actuated in a manner to be now described, reference being had more particularly to Fig. 11..

The conduit 4| communicates, as stated, with the rear of the cylinder 31, and is connected to a port 51 in a master valve 58 (Figs. 12 and 13). The conduit 40 communicates, as stated, with the front of the cylinder 31, and is connected to a port 59 in a valve 60 (Fig. 15). The valve 60 has a port 6|, to which is connected a conduit 62, which, in turn, is connected to a port 63 in the valve 58.

The valve 58 has an axial bore 64 therein, closed at its ends by means of end caps 65 and 66 having passageways 61 and 68, respectively, therein, which communicates with saidbore and serve a purpose to be presently described. Also communicating with the bore 64 by means of passageways 69 and 10 respectively are the ports 63 and 51. The valve 58 also has an oil inlet 1| which communicates with the bore 64 by means of a passageway 12, and an oil drain outlet 13, which communicates with the bore 64 by means of passageways l4 and I5. Mounted in the bore 64 for slidable movement therein is a valve member having three enlarged cylindrical portions I6, 71 and 18 which closely engage the wall of the bore. The function and operation of the valve 58 will appear hereinafter.

The port 59 in the valve 60 communicates with the port 5| by means of passageways I9, and 8|. The passageway 80 is adapted to be closed by means of a valve member 82, which is normally urged into closing position by means of a coil spring 83 interposed between said valve member and a cap 84, which is threadedly secured to the valve 60. Communication between the passageways 19 and 8| is also had through a passageway 85, which is adapted to be closed by means of a valve member 86, which is normally urged to closing position by means of a spring 81 interposed between such members and a plug 68 secured to the valve 60.

Oil from an oil reservoir 69 is pumped, into the port ll of the valve 58 by means of a. continuous discharge pump 98, through a conduit 9|, the oil pressure being controlled by means of a pressure regulator 92. Oil is returned to the reservoir from the valve 58 through a conduit 93, which is connected to the port 13 of the valve.

The flow of oil through the valve 58 is controlled by means of a solenoid valve 94, the dethence into an opening tailed construction of which is shown in Fig. 19. Such solenoid valve comprises a solenoid coil 95 and a plunger 98, which is normally maintained in the position which is shown in Fig. 19 by means of a coil spring 91, in which position of the plunger oil will flow from conduit 9i through a conduit 98, through ports 99 and I of the valve, through a conduit IOI and into passageway 51 of the valve 58, thereby causing the valve member 11-18 to move to the position shown in Fig. 12 and forcing the oil in the bore 34 between the right end of such valve member and the cap 68 to pass through a conduit I02 through a port I03 in the solenoid valve, through openings I04 and I05 in the plunger 93, out through a port I06 in the solenoid valve, through a conduit I01, drain conduit 93, and into the reservoir 89.

when the solenoid coil 95 is energized, it moves the armature I08 to the left (Fig. 19), thereby moving the plunger 95 to a position in which it closes communication between ports 99 and I00 and between ports I03 and I05. When this occurs, oil will pass from conduit 90 into port 99, I09 in the plunger, through the plunger, out through opening I04, port I03, conduit I02 and into passageway 68, thereby causing the valve member I6I1-'I3 to move to the left end of the bore 54. This forces the oil in the bore 54 between the left end of such valve member and the cap 85 to pass through the conduit IOI into port I00, out oi port I08, through conduit I01, into drain -con duit and into the reservoir 89.

The solenoid valve is controlled by a limit switch IIO, which is open except at such times, when the cam 48 on the roll 1 (or 2I) engages a roller III which actuates the limit switch. When the limit switch is thus closed by the cam 48, the solenoid coil is energized with the result, as already described, that oil will pass from the reservoir 89 into the bore 64 and force the valve member 18--11-'I0 to the extreme left end of the bore. This permits oil to flow from conduit 9i into port ll of the valve 58, thence through passageway 12, bore 54, passageway 10, port 51, conduit 4I, head 39, and right'end of the cylinder 31. This causes the piston 35 to move to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, and pushing the blank B toward the rolls I.

During the course of this movement, the upper die roll 1 has rotated to such a position that the cam leaves the roller III, so that the switch H0 is opened. Before this occurs, however, and in order to maintain the solenoid 94 energized, a second normally open. limit switch II2 is actuated to closed position by means of a cam I I3, which is carried by the head 33. This cam has a track II4, which, during the forward movement of the head 33, engages a roller II5 which actuates the limit switch, and in thisway maintains the solenoid 94 in energized condition.

The movement of the die rolls and the blank B should be so synchronized as to bring the stop 56 on the upper roll to a predetermined position in advance of the forward end of the blank, just prior to the entry of the blank into the rolls. If the exact length of the blank after discharge from a set of rolls were known, it would be a relatively simple matter to secure the aforesaid synchronized movement. In beginning a series of die rolling operations on a blank, however, it is not always possible to determine what the precise length of the blank will be as it emerges from each set of rolls, and certain factors, such as differences in temperature of the blank as well as variations in the hardness and other properties of the metal will result in variations in such lengths. In other words, if a blank became elongated to an extent beyond what would be normally expected, it would be possible for the front end of the blank to reach a position in which the stop 58 on the upper roll could not pass the upper left-hand corner of the blank without strik- 1 8 the blank, and thereby serious damage might occur to both the blank and stop, and the blank would notenter the rolls properly.

Means have accordingly been provided for forestailing such a possibility, that is to say, means have been provided for preventing movement of the blank until the stop 58 has passed the upper left-hand corner of the blank and moved to a predetermined position in advance of the front end of the blank.

Such means comprises a stctionarily mounted cylinder III; in which a plunger II1 operates, such plunger being actuated by oil (supplied to the left end of the cylinder by means of a conduit H3).

The conduit H8 is connected to a port I20 in a solenoid actuated valve I 2I, having a bore I22 therein in which a plunger I23 is slidably mounted. This plunger is normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 18 by means of a coil spring I24, and in this position of the plunger, communication is established between the port I20 and a port I25 of the valve. The port I25 communicates with a port I25 of a check valve I21, such check valve being further provided with a port I28, communication between which and the port I28 being normally closed by means of a spring-pressed valve member I29.

The port I20 communicates with the conduit 62 by means of a conduit I30.

The solenoid valve I2I is further provided with a port I3I, to which is connected a conduit I32, which communicates with a drain conduit II9, connected to the right end of the cylinder I I0.

The plunger I23 is adapted to be actuated by means of a solenoid coil I33 which, when energized, moves the armature I34 to the left, as viewed in Figs. 17 and 18, thereby moving the plunger I23 to its extreme left position against the action of the spring I24.

The coil I33 is adapted to be energized by means of a limit switch I35, which limit switch is normally open, but is closed at such times as the roller I35 thereof is engaged by a cam I31 on the lower roller I. This cam is so disposed with relation to the stop 56 on the uoner roll that it will not engage the roller I36 of the limit switch I 35 until the stop has moved to a predetermined position in advance of the blank which is about to enter the rolls.

The head 33 has rigidly secured thereto a stop member I38. which is a apted to engage the rear end of the plunger ,I I1.

As long as the roller I38 of the limit swi'rch I 3 is not en aged by the cam I 1. oil from the conduit I62 will pass throu h c n uit I30. th n throu h the check valve I21, the valve member I! of which is o ened by the oil ressu e, ports I a d conduit 8. and into the left end of cylinder 8 (Fi 6), thereby h ding the p un M I" in its extreme rear position as shown in Fig. 6.

In the meantime. the billet is heme pushed to the rolls, and if cam I31 has not vet ena ed the roller I38 of the limit switch I 3 which is tantamount to saying that the stop 58 is not in the proper position, the stop I38 comes into engagement with the plunger III, thereby causing the blank to stop, due to the check valve I21 preventing the oil in cylinder H6 from escaping through conduit H8.

As soon as the cam I3'I engages the roller I36, however, the limit switch I35 is closed, thereby energizing the solenoid coil I33, and moving the plunger I23 to the extreme left, as viewed in Figs. 17 and 18.

This shuts off communication between the ports I25 and I20 of the valve I2I, and opens communication between the ports I20 and I3I. Due to the greater cross-sectional area of the cylinder 31 than the cylinder H6, the oil pressure in the former will overcome that in the latter cylinder, with the result that the stop I38 will push the plunger I I I forwardly and force the oil out of the cylinder H6, permitting the blank to resume its movement toward the rolls. The oil, thus discharged from the cylinder H6 will pass through conduit H8, ports I20 and I3I of the valve I2I, through conduit I32 and into conduit H9, from which it will be returned to the reservoir 89.

The blank B moves forwardly until it engages the stop 56 and has moved into the rolls far enough to insure that the rolls will take a firm bite on the blank and move it through the rolls without further assistance from the blank pushing mechanism.

At this time, the roller H of the limit switch H2 has reached the rear end of the track H4 of the cam H3, and drops, thereby opening the limit switch.

This causes the plunger 96 of the solenoid valve 94 to return to the position shown in Fig. 19, in which position of the-plunger, oil will flow from conduit 98 through ports 99 and I00, conduit I Ill and into passageway 61 of the master valve 58, thereby moving the valve member 16II-I8 to the position shown in Figs. 12 and 13. In this position of the valve member, oil will flow from conduit 9|, through port II passageway I2, bore 64, passageway 69, port 63, conduit 62, valve 60, conduit 40 and into the left end of the cylinder 31.

This causes the plunger 35 to return to its rearward position, and during such return movement, the limit switch I I2 is maintained in its open condition by virtue of the engagement of a track I39 at the lower edge of the cam H3 with the cam roller H5 of the limit switch.

During the rearward movement of the blank pushing mechanism, the cam I31 leaves the roller I38 of the limit switch, thereby opening such switch and returning the plunger I23 to its normal position, and permitting the plunger II! to return to the position shown in Fig. 6.

It will be understood that feeding mechanism of the character described is disposed in advance of each set of die rolls, but that the blank must be placed on a trough 30 in advance of the first set of die rolls, and in a position to be moved to such rolls by means of a pusher finger 3I.

Reference numeral I40 designates a flow control, the detailed construction of which is shown in Fig. 14, and which serves to regulate the flow of .oil to the master valve 58. This is accomplished by setting the handle I4I of the fiow control to bleed a predetermined quantity of the oil from the conduit 9I back to the reservoir through a conduit I42.

Having thus described in some detail the principal features and construction of the apparatus. the operation will be briefly described, as appli- 10 cable, for example, to the rolling of a pair of connected teering knuckles for an automobile or the like.

The hot blank or billet B, as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, of a size and shape suitable for the production of a pair of connected steering knuckles, is deposited, as by means of a conveyor or tongs, on a trough 30, such as shown in Fig. 8, ata point in advance of pusher finger 3|,just before the latter begins its movement toward thefirst set of rolls, which, in this case are horizontal rolls 2 I.

The blank is then automatically conveyed to and into the first set of the rolls in a manner which will be evident from the foregoing detailed description of the feeding mechanism, a second blank being placed on the trough 30 as soon as the first blank has passed through the first set of rolls.

In such first set of rolls, the blank has imparted thereto by the rolls the shape which is illustrated in Figs. 22, 23 and 24.

As the blank passes through the succeeding sets of rolls, it has imparted thereto the successive shapes illustrated in Figs. 25, 28, 31 and 33, emerging from the last set of die rolls in the form of a pair of connected steering knuckles, as shown in Fig. 36, which may be severed at the center to provide individual knuckles.

- The finished or substantially finished forging, in this case a pair of connected steering knuckles, is discharged by the last set of rolls onto a gravity discharge table, from which it is discharged onto a conveyor to be carried by the latter to any desired point for any further treatment required.

In Fig. 39 there is illustrated a modified form of the blank pushing mechanism which is desirable for use in cases where the spaces between the sets of die rolls is not sufiicient to permit the use of a pivotally-mounted pusher finger.

In this modification, the plunger 35" has secured to its forward end, as by means of a plate I43 and screws I44, a head 33', in which is slidably mounted for reciprocable movement in a vertical plane, a pusher finger 3|", which, when in the dotted line position, is adapted to push a blank into a set of rolls, and when in the solid line position, can move rearwardly clear of the oncoming blank.

The finger 3I" is normally maintained in its retracted or solid line position by means of a tension coil spring I45, which is connected at one end to a lug I48 which extends from the head 33', and is connected at its other end to a pin I4'I which extends from a lug I48 formed integrally with the finger 3I".

Movement of the finger 3i" to its extended or dotted line position is effected hydraulically against the tension or the spring I45, and for this purpose, a plunger I49 is provided having a piston I50 which works in a cylinder I5I, such cylinder being closed at one end by means of a plug I52 having a passageway I53 therein through which oil is adapted to be supplied to the cylinder I5I by means of a conduit I54. The conduit I54 is adapted to be.connected to the conduit I02 (Fig. 11), so that when oil is supplied to the conduit I02 for actuation of the plunger I5'I1'I8, oil will at the same time be supplied to the conduit I54 to actuate the finger 3|" to its extended or operative position.

Since oil will not flow into the right end of the cylinder 31 until the plunger 'I6'I'I--I8 has been moved to its extreme left, it follows that the finger 3i" will be moved'to its operative position before'the plunger 88" has begun its forward movement. The finger 8|" will remain in this position until such time that the plunger OI" starts to return to its initial position. At this time, the oil pressure on the piston III is relieved. and the spring I returns the finger II" to its inoperative or solid line position, so as to clear the next blank. A drainage outlet I" is provided for clearing the cylinder iii of any oil which leaks into the cylinder past the piston Ill.

It is thus seen that an apparatus has been provided, whereby articles. such as axles. shafts, steering knuckles, crankshaft blanks and the like are produced in commercially desirable, quantitles, and free from flash and other imperfections. Other forms may be employed embodying the features of the invention instead of the one here explained, change being made in the form or construction herein disclosed. provided the elements stated in the following claim or the equivalent of such stated elements be employed, whether produced by the preferred apparatus or by others embodying steps equivalent to those stated in the following claim.

This application is a division of Patent No. 2,388,553, granted November 28, 1944.

It is therefore particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as the invention:

peripherally extending groove; a die element in 12 said groove for shaping a blank rolled in said groove; a stop member secured to said roll at one side of the plane of said groove and extending into the plane of said groove for engagement with a blank entering said groove, said stop member being disposed a predetermined distance along said groove from said element; a plate mounted on an end face of said roll, said plate carrying a cam thereon; and means for adjustably positioning said plate on said face for setting said cam at a predetermined position relative to said element.

' IDA McKllNNEY. Administratriz: of the Estate 0] Arthur C. Ruden,

Deceased.

REFERENCES crrsn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 42,718 Thompson May 10, 1864 850,743 Baker May 29, 1900 1,448,371 Baehr Mar. 13, 1923 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 810,073 Great Britain Apr. 22, 1929 401,890 Germany Sept. 11. 1924 714,651 France Sept. 8, 1931 

